Senior Spotlight: N’yla Nieves

By VCS Senior JaQuaylyn Wiggins

N’yla Denise Nieves is a vibrant and creative student whose passion for music and culture shines through everything she does. A fun fact about N’yla is that she can dance both bachata and salsa—talents that reflect her strong connection to rhythm and musical expression. Those closest to her describe her as quirky, jolly, and creative, words that perfectly capture her personality.

One of N’yla’s favorite high school memories is freshman year homecoming, which marked the beginning of many unforgettable experiences. Academically, her favorite class has been choir, where singing comes naturally to her, making the experience both enjoyable and rewarding. She has also participated in several extracurricular activities, with her favorite being Academic Decathlon during her freshman year, where she placed in both math and history.

A teacher who made a lasting impact on N’yla’s life is Mr. Norfus, her music teacher in eighth grade. His guidance helped shape her love for music and inspired her to continue pursuing it. After graduation, N’yla plans to attend Youngstown State University to study music performance. If she could choose any career, she would sing professionally—a dream she has been working toward since the age of two.

Looking ahead, N’yla hopes to move into her own apartment within the next five years as she completes college, marking an important step toward independence. One of the most meaningful pieces of advice she received during high school is to stay close to God, advice she believes is truly life-changing. While she doesn’t usually follow quotes or mottos, her abuelita’s saying, “una nunca se sabe,” reminds her to stay prepared for whatever life may bring.

Outside of school, N’yla’s favorite movie is Twitches, a film she has loved for as long as she can remember. If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would choose Puerto Rico, where much of her family lives. One funny high school memory she will never forget involves a classmate who brought a giant water bottle into Agresta’s class during freshman year and proudly announced a “Spanish word of the day”—which was wrong every single time.

With her talent, faith, and joyful spirit, N’yla Denise Nieves is ready to take the next step and make her mark through music and creativity.